Description:
Today we’re learning the major third. You might say this interval sounds bright and happy. Remember how a perfect fifth is the same, whether you’re playing a major or minor scale? The major third is the kind of third that you find walking up a major scale from 1 to 3. Compare this to a minor third.
Back to major thirds: walk with me up the scale, singing 123 . Now, sing just 1 & 3, only listening for step 2. Finally, sing 13. A major third is found at the beginning of two well-known folk songs: “When the saints go marching in” and “Kumbaya”.
The major third is a great interval to practice, not only for training our sense of pitch and ability to sing in tune, but also to lay the foundation for harmonizing. Many harmonies are built in thirds.
For this first exercise, I’ll play a major third so you can listen and audiate, or sing in your head; then, I’ll play a second time for you to sing along.
Exercise - 131: listen, then sing
Now that you have this interval in your ear, we’ll cut the repeat and sing with the piano straight away!
Exercise - 131: sing with piano playing individual pitches
Time for a challenge! I’ll play the interval, but I won’t play individual pitches one at a time.
Exercise - 131: sing with piano playing interval (challenge)
After all of that practice, let’s try building major thirds! I’ll play your “1”. See if you can find “3” on your own!
You can use one of our song examples, like “kumbaya”. Or, since a major third is a small interval, you can choose to walk up the scale instead. I’ll play the major third after a few seconds and give you the pitch letter name so you can check your pitch accuracy. Let’s give it a try!
Game: Find 3 from 1
In the next lesson, we’ll get even smaller with whole steps and half steps.
Lessons:
- Day 1: Principles, Terms & How To Use A Chromatic Tuner
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Day 2:
Higher, Lower & Same
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Day 3:
Unison
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Day 4:
Fifths
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Day 5:
Major Thirds
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Day 6:
Whole & Half Steps
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Day 7:
Major Scale
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Day 8:
Steps & Skips
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Day 9:
Arpeggios
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Day 10:
Tonal Memory Games
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Day 11:
Tonal Memory Songs
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Day 12:
Easy Song
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Day 13:
“Harder” song
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Day 14:
Congrats & What’s Next
Instructor: Camille van Niekerk
Camille van Niekerk is a singer, writer and vocal instructor in Southern California. Camille began studying voice and performing in musicals at age seven. In 2010, Camille began working towards her BA in Music Education at Azusa Pacific University. She then earned her teaching credential from San Diego State University and taught classroom choral and instrumental music. Shortly after moving to LA county, Camille began her private vocal studio, providing vocal coaching, ear training, and recording for students of all ages. She is constantly refining her skills and methods for greater versatility and effectiveness. When she is not teaching, Camille enjoys singing with the L.A. Choral Lab and Ensoma Creative. She lives in San Diego with her husband and loves going to the beach, practicing yoga, reading, and cooking.